French government spokesperson Gabriel Attal as said that there is a clear deterioration in the epidemic situation and "the warning signs are multiplying". Speaking after the Council of Ministers meeting this morning, he said that controls on the use of health passes will be increased over the coming weeks. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said this morning that he had asked Prefects, the police and gendarmes to carry out more controls on health passes after a fall in the number of controls in recent weeks.
During his press conference today Gabrial Attal also commented on the unemployment situation, saying that checks on jobseekers would be increased by 25% in the next six months to ensure they are actively looking for a job. He said this would be particularly the case in sectors in which there are many unfilled job vacancies.
The Monaco government has announced that a third dose of vaccine is available for Monegasques and residents who are aged over 18 and received their second dose more than six months ago. A third dose is also available for healthcare professional who received their second dose more than six months ago and for people with at-risk pathologies who have a medical certificate. If you wish to receive a third injection, you can contact the Monaco Covid19 Call Centre on Monaco 92.05.55.00, which is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or make an online request on the website https://vaccination-covid19.gouv.mc. More information is also available on the Principlaity's Covid-19 website www.covid19.mc
The Pasteur 2 hospital in Nice has been evacuated because of a bomb threat. Reports say that the threat was made in a telephone call to the hospital this afternoon. A bomb disposal team has been on site carrying out a search.
Francois Hollande has been appearing as a witness at the trial regarding the November 13, 2015 attacks in Paris. M. Hollande, who was President at the time of the attacks, has been called as a witness by a victims association. This afternoon he answered questions regarding matters such as the level of terrorist threat to France at that time and how he learnt of the attacks. In his opening remarks he stated that "democracy will always be stronger than barbarism".
A public consultation is underway on the planned green open space covering 10,000 hectares in the Plaine du Var in Nice. The consultation ends on 1 December and there are several ways to register your views on the project. There's also an explanatory exhibition at the Plaza building on the Promenade des Anglais. You can get more information on the website www.nice.fr
Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi presented long service medals to state employees at a ceremony this morning. 149 employees were present from the City of Nice, the Metropole Nice Cote d'Azur and the CCAS of Nice who had been working for 20, 30 or 35 years.
BUSINESS
Marks & Spencer has reported a rise in profits in its half year results released today. Compared to the same period pre-pandemic in 2019, profit before tax was up by 17.9% and revenue rose by 5%. It said that its international operations are "rebounding despite lockdowns, trading restrictions and EU border costs".
The visual effects studio co-founded by Oscar-winning director Sir Peter Jackson has been sold for $1.625bn. Weta Digital has created a wide range of animated characters for films such Lord of the Rings and also Game of Thrones. It's being acquired by video software company Unity which creates and operates real-time 3D content.
Inflation in Germany has increased in October, with prices rising by 4.5%. September's figure was 4.1%. Germany's federal statistics office Destatis said that the rise was largely due to energy costs although the price of food also rose.
SPORT
Rugby Union... Uncapped player Bevan Rodd has been called up for the England squad which will be playing Australia on Saturday. He replaces Joe Marler who tested positive for Covid-19 and is isolating. England returned no new positive Covid-19 results in their latest tests.
Alex Cuthbert is set to make his first appearance for Wales for four years in Sunday's match against Fiji. There are several other changes with Liam Williams, Kieran Hardy, Johnny Williams and Thomas Young all recalled.
Football..The English Premier League has said that it won't permit clubs to wear their away kit at home matches on Boxing Day. The idea had been suggested by the charity Shelter to draw attention to homelessness. The Premier League said the idea would be in breach of kit rules but pointed out that clubs are allowed to change their sponsor for one game per season to support charities.
TGV services across much of France are gradually improving after several arson attacks affected the network in the early hours of this morning....
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Paris is getting ready to shut down it’s city centre and its airspace as well as mobilise 45,000 police and several army units in what has been billed...
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Lucie Castets, the left-wing candidate for Prime Minister, reiterated her desire to lead the government during a media appearance on July 25. A poll s...
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French President Emmanuel Macron is preparing to welcome world leaders to the Olympic games opening ceremony tomorrow night and has been visiting key ...
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France will host the 2030 Winter Olympics in the Alpes, conditional on state and regional financial guarantees. President Macron confirmed his full su...
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